Li Boyan’s words carried helplessness and suppressed, barely concealed endurance.
“No, she is my mommy. Otherwise, why would you set her phone number as the Number One Key?”
In Nian Nian’s mind, only the most important person in one’s life could become the number one in their heart.
This pointed remark instantly choked Li Boyan.
Indeed, Su Ning’s phone number was the Number One Key shortcut in his phone—she was the number one person in his heart.
But that was only in the past.
That past was beautiful; he had thought that when they met again, she would still be the most beautiful presence, the number one in his heart.
However, he never expected that upon meeting again, Su Ning would become his enemy.
She had personally killed Shen Mu’an, the wife of his best brother, and had even nearly killed their child.
Faced with this bloody reality, his heart was bleeding.
Five years ago, although he had personally sent Su Ning to prison, in the depths of midnight dreams, his heart had ached with unbearable pain more than once.
From the first moment he saw Su Ning, he had fallen in love with her.
But for the sake of responsibility, the moment his good brother sacrificed himself to save his life, he could only shoulder the duty of caring for his brother’s wife and daughter.
Becoming Shen Mu’an’s ‘husband’ and Nian Nian’s ‘daddy.’
Yet, faced with Nian Nian’s questioning, he couldn’t utter a single word.
He owed Nian Nian’s parents; he owed her a complete family. So, to protect her, he couldn’t tell her anything.
“Nian Nian, be good, don’t ask anymore.”
Li Boyan’s heart ached terribly.
He clearly knew that Su Ning was the woman he loved most, yet he could only treat her as an enemy and hurt her. No one could understand this pain.
That feeling of unbearable agony made him wish he were dead.
Just then, Zheng Qiuyun walked in and, seeing Nian Nian, got straight to the point, “Nian Nian, that woman is not your mommy. I told you your mommy died long ago!
No matter what that woman said to you or how much you like her, I just want to tell you—she is not your mommy. She is the murderer who killed your mommy.”
“Enough! Stop talking!”
Li Boyan roared again, his hands tightly covering Nian Nian’s ears, not wanting her to hear.
She was just a child—how could she possibly accept such a thing?!
Zheng Qiuyun trembled with rage at Bo Yehan’s words, “Why can’t I say it? She is the murderer who killed your wife, Nian Nian’s mommy. Why won’t you let me say it?
Nian Nian is five years old; she has the right to know this. Why can’t I tell her?”
“Enough, I told you to stop!”
Li Boyan suddenly turned around, his icy gaze fixed directly on Zheng Qiuyun’s face.
He spoke word by word, “If you don’t want to never see me and Nian Nian again in this lifetime, shut your mouth!”
Li Boyan had reached his limit. Although he knew Su Ning’s crimes were unforgivable, only he could speak of them, only he could judge them.
He lacked the courage, and he would not allow anyone to casually discuss Su Ning’s crimes!
“Li Boyan, you have the nerve! For that woman, you actually dare to threaten me! Let me tell you, she is a sinner, a murderer. No matter why you’re protecting her, as long as I, Zheng Qiuyun, am alive, I will never let her have it easy.”
“Auntie, please stop blaming Brother-in-law. I believe he didn’t mean for this to happen.”
Shen Muyao, who had appeared at some point, tried to persuade Zheng Qiuyun.
Zheng Qiuyun immediately hugged Shen Muyao and burst into tears. “Mu Yao, your brother-in-law has gone mad. He actually argued with me over that murderer. He even brought that murderer to see Nian Nian, completely disregarding your sister’s feelings. How can I not hate her? How can I not blame him?”
Shen Muyao held Zheng Qiuyun, gently patting her back to comfort her. “Auntie, give Brother-in-law some time. Perhaps Su Ning’s appearance was just an accident.”
Shen Muyao knew very well that five years ago, it was Li Boyan himself who sent Su Ning to prison. Moreover, no one understood Li Boyan’s ruthlessness better than her. So, no matter why Su Ning had appeared here, she believed Li Boyan would never let Su Ning off easily!
Nian Nian, whose ears were covered by Li Boyan, was crying uncontrollably. She hadn’t heard what Grandma, Daddy, and Auntie were saying, but from their lip movements, she could tell they were talking about Su Ning.
Tears welled in her eyes, filled with helplessness. “No, I don’t want you to talk about my mommy. I don’t want you to hurt her.”
Nian Nian’s heart was full of fear. She had finally gotten her mommy back and didn’t want anyone to hurt her. Especially Grandma—just thinking about how she had viciously pulled Su Ning’s hair earlier made little Nian Nian shudder. Overwhelmed with terror, she felt for the first time that Grandma was terrifying, even more so than a monster.
“Nian Nian, be good. Daddy is here, Daddy is here,” Li Boyan kept comforting her.
Seeing this, Shen Muyao stepped forward. “Brother-in-law, here, let me take Nian Nian.”
She stretched out her arms and approached. “Nian Nian, come, come to Auntie.”
“I don’t want to! I want Mommy, I want Mommy!”
Nian Nian didn’t like Shen Muyao at all. Even though Shen Muyao had always been by her side taking care of her, Nian Nian never wanted to get close to her. She always felt that Shen Muyao’s care and closeness weren’t out of genuine affection—Auntie liked Daddy instead. In her view, Daddy belonged to Mommy and shouldn’t be liked by anyone else, especially not Auntie Shen Muyao.
Seeing this, Li Boyan spoke directly, “Mu Yao, please take my mother home first.”
He knew Nian Nian didn’t like Shen Muyao and didn’t want to upset her at a time like this.
“Alright, I’ll take Auntie home first. I’ll come to the hospital later to relieve you.”
Shen Muyao deliberately softened her voice to make it sound more gentle.
Li Boyan refused without hesitation. “No need. I’ll stay at the hospital. Please take good care of my mother for me.”
“Okay.”
Soon, Shen Muyao took Zheng Qiuyun and left the hospital room. Once they were in the Nanny Van, Shen Muyao was the first to speak. “Auntie, I never thought Su Ning would have the nerve to come to the hospital to see Nian Nian after being released from prison!”
Shen Muyao knew full well how much Zheng Qiuyun hated Su Ning, yet she deliberately added fuel to the fire, provoking Zheng Qiuyun’s anger.
Zheng Qiuyun gasped in rage. “Mu Yao, don’t say anymore. Don’t mention that murderer to me. I won’t let this matter rest!”
“Don’t worry. Although that bitch only served five years in prison, I will definitely make her pay double for what she did to your sister!”
“Auntie, I know you’ve been good to my sister and to me. That’s why I want to stay by your side forever, accompanying you and Nian Nian.”
Of course, the biggest reason was Li Boyan. Five years ago, she had schemed to kill her sister Shen Mu’an with the sole purpose of marrying Li Boyan.